Soldier remanded over barracks murder

Lance Corporal Richard Farrell, who is accused of killing Cpl Geoffrey McNeill, was remanded following a brief appearance at Telford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.Farrell, a member of 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, spoke only to confirm his name, age, date of birth and that he was based at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill, north Shopshire.This was where the body of fellow soldier Cpl McNeill, also of the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, was found on Saturday.The 32-year-old was from Ballymoney, Co Antrim and was educated in nearby Coleraine.It is understood Farrell was arrested around two hours after Cpl McNeill was discovered at the accommodation block. He was charged by West Mercia Police on Tuesday night after they were granted extra time to question him.He was remanded in custody to appear at a further hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday 14 March.The cause of the soldier's death has not been confirmed as further tests have been ordered following a post-mortem examination.